On behalf of the AIMS and UTS Family, the AIMS Council send their seasons greetings to all AIMS members, the GAISF Family, our partners, stakeholders and to each and everyone who share our unified mission and vision. We are experiencing day by day how fragile life and our world is.
These challenging times have brought us all closer. Our recent United Through Sports World Virtual Youth Festival 2021 showcased once again, that together we sent a strong message of unity, inclusion, equality and solidarity, for and with the youth of the world.
We would like to give our appreciation to the Olympic Committee of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for being the host of this year’s festival. The International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, Special Olympics International, GAISF, SportAccord, AIMS, the international federations and the over 200,000 participants who stood together under the theme, “united for the future” making the world a better place through sport.
To the stunning youth of the world in all their diversity taking action, standing together, inspiring a collective effort which is so much needed in this unprecedented era we face. We understand that for many, the pandemic has created social injustice, isolation, no access to health, support or education. The world of sport was no exception.
2021 saw the return of sport and I must personally thank the IOC, ITA, WADA and so many others who have organised workshops and conference sessions to give a platform for information and education during the festival. The support extended towards positively developing sports and federations for a safe return to the field of play has been immense. Athlete safety has been places at the forefront ensuring that we all stay active, healthy, engaged and not isolated.
AIMS would like to thank the IOC Sport Department and GAISF for their cooperation. We are extremely proud that 6 of our members have received full recognition by the IOC. We would like to congratulate each and every one of them. We also thank ARISF to which all have now been welcomed as members. These members will continue into 2022 to support AIMS and the other members towards their own development.
In recent weeks, we have seen that the pandemic is far from over. We must continue to unite. I would like to echo the words of the IOC President: “Faster, higher, stronger, together.”
In this spirit, AIMS, the AIMS council and the UTS Team wish you a healthy and memorable festive season. Good health and happiness for another Olympic year. We hope to meet soon and enjoy each other’s company once again.
Happy Holidays
Julia Govinden
CEO United Through Sports
